Design for a Stage Set 1830 - 1890

This is Eugène Cicéri's “Design for a Stage Set,” painted with watercolor, gouache, and graphite on paper. The overall structure of the design is bisected into two contrasting registers: the upper section, dominated by a cool, airy sky, is sparsely articulated. The lower register is full of dramatic flair that uses a warm color palette, heavy with reds and golds. The sumptuousness of the lower half suggests wealth, power, and spectacle. This contrast is central to how we might understand the artwork in relation to theories of representation and theatricality, and how the stage set could potentially reflect a certain cultural and philosophical perspective. The design uses visual components and cultural codes to communicate ideas about status and performance. The symmetry of the design, anchored by a centered fleur-de-lis, and the swagged drapery is indicative of classical design and the emphasis on balance and order. Yet, the medium, with its fluid application, softens any rigid interpretation. The very nature of the design invites us to question what we deem as spectacle and how we choose to represent it.